Mercury Concentrations in Pacific Angel Sharks (Squatina californica) and Prey Fishes from Southern Gulf of California, Mexico.

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) were quantified in muscle tissues of the Pacific angel shark, Squatina californica sampled from Southern Gulf of California, Mexico, considering total length, sex, diet and the dietary risk assessment. High Hg levels are typically associated with carnivorous fishes, however S. californica showed low Hg concentrations (<1.0 µg g(-1)) in muscle (0.24 ± 0.27 µg g(-1) wet weight; n = 94). No effect of sex, total length and weight on Hg concentrations were observed in the shark (p > 0.05). Hg concentrations were highest in the darkedge mishipman: Porichthys analis (0.14 ± 0.08 µg g(-1)) and red-eye round herring Etrumeus teres (0.13 ± 0.05 µg g(-1)) relative to other prey species, which could suggest that Hg concentrations in S. californica were influenced by these species. Given the relatively low concentration of Hg across age-classes and sex, consumption of S. californica's muscle tissue poses limited risk to humans.

First case of synophthalmia and albinism in the Pacific angel shark Squatina californica.

The first record in Mexican waters of albinism and synophthalmia (partial cyclopia) in the Pacific angel shark, Squatina californica is presented. Albinism is not lethal, but synophthalmia may cause the death of the individual immediately after birth.

Gram-negative prosthetic joint infection: outcome of a debridement, antibiotics and implant retention approach. A large multicentre study.

We aim to evaluate the epidemiology and outcome of gram-negative prosthetic joint infection (GN-PJI) treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR), identify factors predictive of failure, and determine the impact of ciprofloxacin use on prognosis. We performed a retrospective, multicentre, observational study of GN-PJI diagnosed from 2003 through to 2010 in 16 Spanish hospitals. We define failure as persistence or reappearance of the inflammatory joint signs during follow-up, leading to unplanned surgery or repeat debridement>30 days from the index surgery related death, or suppressive antimicrobial therapy. Parameters predicting failure were analysed with a Cox regression model. A total of 242 patients (33% men; median age 76 years, interquartile range (IQR) 68-81) with 242 episodes of GN-PJI were studied. The implants included 150 (62%) hip, 85 (35%) knee, five (2%) shoulder and two (1%) elbow prostheses. There were 189 (78%) acute infections. Causative microorganisms were Enterobacteriaceae in 78%, Pseudomonas spp. in 20%, and other gram-negative bacilli in 2%. Overall, 19% of isolates were ciprofloxacin resistant. DAIR was used in 174 (72%) cases, with an overall success rate of 68%, which increased to 79% after a median of 25 months' follow-up in ciprofloxacin-susceptible GN-PJIs treated with ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin treatment exhibited an independent protective effect (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.23; 95% CI, 0.13-0.40; p<0.001), whereas chronic renal impairment predicted failure (aHR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.14-5.77; p 0.0232). Our results confirm a 79% success rate in ciprofloxacin-susceptible GN-PJI treated with debridement, ciprofloxacin and implant retention. New therapeutic strategies are needed for ciprofloxacin-resistant PJI.

Mercury in muscle and liver of ten ray species from Northwest Mexico.

We determined total mercury (Hg) distribution in muscle and liver of ten ray species and assessed health risk considering Hg levels in muscle and average consumption of rays in Mexico. Rays were collected from five sites in NW Mexico between March and November 2012. Hg concentrations ranged from 4.465 µg g(-1) in muscle of the longtail stingray Dasyatis longa to 0.036 µg g(-1) in liver of the diamond stingray Dasyatis dipterura. Considering all the individuals, Hg in muscle (1.612±1.322 µg g(-1)) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than in liver (0.745±0.616 µg g(-1)). Regarding local health risk assessment, none of the ray species may cause adverse effects on consumers.

A new method of computing the vertebral heart scale by means of direct standardisation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe and compare a simplified vertebral heart scale computation method (Objective VHS) with the original Buchanan method (Buchanan VHS). METHODS: The Objective VHS was compared to the Buchanan VHS method in 42 dogs including 14 healthy dogs and 28 dogs with mitral insufficiency. For the Objective VHS, the sum of the length of the long and short axes of the cardiac silhouette obtained in centimetres using a metric ruler was subsequently converted into units of vertebral length by means of a direct standardization method. The Buchanan VHS was obtained as previously described. RESULTS: No significant differences in vertebral heart scale values were found between the two methods in all dogs. There was a strong positive correlation (0·99) between Objective VHS and Buchanan VHS. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of a direct standardization method based on a unit conversion allows -computation of vertebral heart scale values without transposing long and short axes to the cranial edge of T4.

Efficacy of pre-ascent climbing route visual inspection in indoor sport climbing.

Pre-ascent climbing route visual inspection (route preview) has been suggested as a key climbing performance parameter although its role has never been verified experimentally. We examined the efficacy of this perceptual-cognitive skill on indoor sport climbing performance. Twenty-nine male climbers, divided into intermediate, advanced and expert climbing level groups, climbed two indoor sport routes matching their climbing level and, where applicable, routes below their climbing level. At each level, one route was climbed with a preview, where participants benefited from a 3-min pre-ascent climbing route visual inspection. Performance was assessed in terms of output (route completion) and form (number and duration of moves and stops). Route preview did not influence the output performance. Climbers using visual inspection were no more likely to finish the ascent than those without the option of using visual inspection. Conversely, route preview did influence form performance; climbers made fewer, and shorter stops during their ascent following a preview of the route. Form performances differences remained when baseline ability levels were taken into account, although for shorter duration of stops only with expert climbers benefiting most from route preview. The ability to visually inspect a climb before its ascent may represent an essential component of performance optimization.

Cirugía reconstructiva del aparato locomotor, nuevas técnicas y opciones terapéuticas / Reconstructive surgery of the locomotor apparatus: new techniques and therapeutic options

La aplicación de criterios tumorales en el tratamiento quirúrgico secuencial de las osteítis crónicas y seudoartrosis sépticas en forma de resecciones segmentarias origina amplios defectos óseos. Una vez controlado el proceso séptico, en un entorno estable y vascularizado, se procede a la reconstrucción en dichas lesiones mediante transporte óseo basado en la osteogénesis a distracción. A pesar de los buenos resultados obtenidos, los periodos de fijación externa y de curación son muy largos, 2,4 meses por centímetro reconstruido. Estos prolongados tratamientos motivan que haya un elevado número de complicaciones. Los avances en ingeniería tisular y regeneración ósea contribuyen con nuevas técnicas y opciones terapéuticas. La estimulación de la formación de hueso nuevo en la zona de distracción o en el punto de atraque del fragmento transportado puede minimizar las complicaciones asociadas a la larga duración del procedimiento. La utilización de un osteoinductor como BMP-7 origina en la práctica un aumento de la formación ósea y el nuevo hueso puede tener incrementadas sus propiedades biomecánicas (AU)

The application of oncologic criteria in the sequential surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis foci and septic pseudarthrosis, through segmental resections, produces extensive bone defects. Once the septic process is under control, in a stable and well vascularized atmosphere, we perform reconstruction of intercalary defects through bone transportation based on distraction osteogenesis. Despite the good results, the healing index and the time on ex-fi x are very long, about 10 weeks per centimeter rebuilt. These prolonged treatments lead to a large number of complications. Advances in tissue engineering and bone regeneration have led to new techniques and therapeutic options. Stimulation of new bone formation in the distraction area or in the “docking-site” can minimize the complications associated with the length of time required by the procedure. The use of an osteoinducer, such as BMP-7, increases new bone formation and may enhance its biomechanical properties (AU)

Pre-performance psychological states and performance in an elite climbing competition.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between pre-performance psychological states and expert performance in non-traditional sport competition. Nineteen elite male sport climbers (M=24.6, SD=4.0 years of age) completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule before an international rock climbing competition. Climbing performances were video-recorded to calculate movement fluency (entropy) and obtain ascent times. Official route scores were also obtained. Successful climbers reported higher pre-performance levels of somatic anxiety and climbed the most difficult part of the route more slowly than their unsuccessful counterparts. The psychological states preceding elite climbing competition appeared to be an important factor in determining success, even when differences in baseline ability were taken into account.

Functional and clinical characterization of a mutation in KCNJ2 associated with Andersen-Tawil syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is a rare inherited disorder, characterised by periodic paralysis, cardiac dysarrhythmias, and dysmorphic features, and is caused by mutations in the gene KCNJ2, which encodes the inward rectifier potassium channel, Kir2.1. This study sought to analyse KCNJ2 in patients with familial ATS and to determine the functional characteristics of the mutated gene. METHODS AND RESULTS: We screened a family with inherited ATS for the mutation in KCNJ2, using direct DNA sequencing. A missense mutation (T75R) of Kir2.1, located in the highly conserved cytoplasmic N-terminal domain, was identified in three affected members of this family. Using the Xenopus oocyte expression system and whole cell voltage clamp analyses, we found that the T75R mutant was non-functional and possessed a strong dominant negative effect when co-expressed with the same amount of wild type Kir2.1. Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the mutated form of Kir2.1 in the heart had prolonged QTc intervals compared with mice expressing the wild type protein. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias were observed in 5 of 14 T75R-Tg mice compared with 1 of 7 Wt-Tg and none of 6 non-transgenic littermates. In three of five T75R-Tg mice with ventricular tachycardia, their ECG disclosed bidirectional tachycardia as in our proband. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro studies revealed that the T75R mutant of Kir2.1 had a strong dominant negative effect in the Xenopus oocyte expression system. It still preserved the ability to co-assemble and traffic to the cell membrane in mammalian cells. For in vivo studies, the T75R-Tg mice had bidirectional ventricular tachycardia after induction and longer QT intervals.

CXC chemokines suppress proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells by activation of the CXC chemokine receptor 2.

IL-8 is one of the major mediators of the transendothelial migration of neutrophils from the circulation to the site of injury and infection. In this work we demonstrate that the CXC or alpha-chemokines, IL-8 and melanoma growth stimulatory activity (MGSA) induce myeloid suppression via direct action on progenitor cells, mediated by activation of the murine homologue of the CXC chemokine receptor-2 (CXCR2) or IL-8R B. We first show that proliferation of the IL-3-dependent murine myeloid progenitor cell line 32D is suppressed by human IL-8 and the functionally and structurally related peptide, MGSA. Second, we show for the first time the high endogenous expression of the murine CXCR2 in 32D cells, as demonstrated by Northern blot analysis, binding to [125I]macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2-induced calcium responses in 32D cells. Third, we demonstrate that IL-8 and MGSA induce a rise in intracellular calcium in 32D cells. The IL-8-induced Ca2+ response is desensitizing, since a second dose of IL-8 did not trigger a second calcium response. Other chemokines, including neutrophil-activating protein-2, platelet factor-4, RANTES, and macrophage chemotactic protein-1, neither suppressed the proliferation of 32D cells nor induced a rise in intracellular calcium. Finally, the IC50 of IL-8- and MGSA-dependent suppression of proliferation of 32D cells is in good agreement with the EC50 of IL-8- and MGSA-dependent activation of neutrophil Mac-1 up-regulation and chemotaxis. Our studies are consistent with the idea that IL-8 and MGSA suppress the proliferation of 32D cells by activation of murine CXCR2.

Activation of HIV-1 coreceptor (CXCR4) mediates myelosuppression.

Chemokines are cytokines that activate and induce the migration of leukocytes. Stroma-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a novel chemokine that blocks the entry of T-tropic HIV-1 mediated by fusin/CXCR4/LESTR (leukocyte-derived seven-transmembrane domain receptor). In this work we demonstrate that SDF-1 triggers increases in intracellular calcium and inhibits the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cell line 32D. By contrast, SDF-1 neither triggers a calcium response nor affects the proliferation of the myeloid progenitor cell line 32D-GR that is deficient in CXCR4. Responsiveness to SDF-1 was rescued by transfection of 32D-GR cells with a cDNA encoding the human CXCR4. The data indicate that SDF-1 induces myelosuppression by activation of CXCR4. The constitutive production of SDF-1 by bone marrow stromal cells argues for a major role of SDF-1 on the regulation of myelopoiesis.

Detection of the infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus directly from infected fish tissues by dot blot hybridization with a non-radioactive probe.

A method was developed for the rapid diagnosis of the infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) based on dot blot hybridization with a non-radioactive probe. When the assay was developed through a color reaction both biotin- and alkaline phosphatase-labeled probes were highly specific for IHNV and the sensitivity reached to 20 pg of viral RNA. When the alkaline phosphatase-labeled probe was developed by a chemiluminiscent reaction, the sensitivity showed a five-fold increase to 4 pg of viral RNA. The procedures successfully detected IHNV directly from infected symptomatic and asymptomatic fishes exhibiting higher sensitivity than the traditional approaches involving viral propagation in cell cultures. Additional advantages of the method are its simplicity and it takes only about 6 h to carry out the procedures from the initial processing of the tissues to diagnosis.

[Angiographic findings among Ecuadorian metis population with occlusive cerebrovascular disease of the anterior circulation]. / Hallazgos angiográficos en mestizos ecuatorianos con enfermedad cerebrovascular oclusiva de la circulación anterior.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the location of arterial lesions in a population of Ecuadorian Mestizos with cerebral infarcts in the carotid territory caused by large-artery atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Such patients were prospectively entered into a protocol of investigation that included cerebral angiography as the gold standard for evaluation of the extra and intracranial vascular bed. RESULTS: Twelve (60%) of the 20 patients included in this study had symptomatic intracranial lesions, and the remaining 8 (40%) had extracranial lesions. Intracranial lesions were most often located in the middle cerebral artery stem. With the exception that systemic markers of arteriosclerosis were present in 3 of 8 patients with extracranial disease and in none of 12 patients with intracranial disease, we found no differences in stroke risk factors among patients with intra or extracranial lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides suggestive evidence that the distribution of arterial lesions in Ecuadorian mestizos with occlusive cerebrovascular disease is different from that in whites, but similar to that in blacks and orientals.